Bruised Tailbone Causes & Treatment Options

What is Coccydynia and How Can I Get Pain Relief?

Your tailbone is located at the very bottom of your spine. In the medical field it is referred to as the coccyx, and when it gets inflamed and injured, the condition is called Coccydynia. This condition may also be referred to as:

Coccygeal pain

Coccyx pain

Coccyaglia

Bruised tailbone

Tailbone pain

How can I tell if I have Coccydynia?

Coccydynia refers to any type of persistent tailbone pain.

Pain is generally confined to the tailbone, and does not radiate through the pelvis or to the lower extremities.

Coccyx Pain is generally worse when weight is placed on the tailbone, like when you lean backward in a sitting position.

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Are There Treatments I Can Do at Home?

If you’ve experienced an injury or irritation to your tailbone, we recommend consulting a physician to be sure your injury will heal correctly. In the meantime, here are some ways you can ease the pain at home:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Common NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, help reduce the inflammation around the coccyx.

Ice or cold pack. Applying cold several times a day for the first few days after pain starts can help reduce inflammation.

Heat or heating pad. Applying heat to the bottom of the spine after the first few days of pain may help relieve muscle tension, which may accompany or exacerbate coccyx pain.

Supportive pillows. Pillows for alleviating coccydynia may include U- or V-shaped pillows, or wedge-shaped pillows with a cutout or hole where the tailbone is.

If the above treatments do not help manage or alleviate coccyx pain, treatment by a doctor may be necessary.

Common Questions

Is it also called a bruised tailbone?

Yes, many people refer to it as a bruised tailbone. Or, in more severe cases, people may think they may have broken their tailbone. Coccydynia can be the result of inflammation (bruising), dislocation or a fracture of their tailbone.

Why is coccydynia more common for women?

The occurrence of coccydynia happens to women more than men primarily because the female pelvis is broader and the coccyx is more exposed. The coccyx may also be injured or fractured during childbirth.

Do I have a broken tailbone?

There are cases of coccydynia that are a result of a fractured (broken) coccyx. We suggest that if you believe you have a fractured tailbone, schedule an appointment with SpineOne and have one of our highly trained physicians diagnose your coccydynia.

What can I do to relieve the pain in my tailbone?

Unfortunately, coccydynia can be very painful. Generally, relief from coccydynia involves treatment, rest and refraining from any activities that could potentially aggravate or place pressure on the tailbone.

How long will it take for the pain to stop?

Time needed for healing is completely dependent upon the severity of the coccydynia (fractured versus inflamed for instance) and the treatment regimen for the condition. You’ll want to discuss treatment options with a SpineOne physician to strategize your treatment plan.